G7 Summit tackles ocean plastics

The leaders of the world's seven economies met at the G7 Summit in Charlevoux, Canada, and placed importance on collaborative partnerships to identify and assess policy gaps, needs and best practices. In this Summit, one important agreement covers climate change and identifying concrete solutions to pressing global challenges. In particular, the participating leaders talked about investing on projects directed at climate change, oceans, and clean energy.

 

  

 

As the G7 leaders discussed on how to tackle climate change and the importance of investing in clean energy, and protecting oceans and coastal communities, five member countries have agreed to the Oceans Plastics Charter, which aims to  eradicate plastic pollution and create a lifecycle economy with investment of $100 million to protect coasts and oceans. As Prime Minister Trudeau announced, the charter targets further recycling and re-purposing of all single-use plastic.

 

The G7 is an informal grouping of seven of the world’s advanced economies consisting of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The European Union was first invited to attend the G7 in 1977, but is not part of the hosting rotation. This year, Canada held the G7 Presidency, in 2019 France will hold the G7 Presidency. The previous Canadian-hosted Summits were held in Muskoka, Ontario (2010); Kananaskis, Alberta (2002); Halifax, Nova Scotia (1995); Toronto, Ontario (1988); and Ottawa-Montebello, Ontario and Quebec (1981).